Lake Braddock's Chase Heads to Nationals

Lake Braddock junior Sophie Chase finished second overall at the 33rd Annual Foot Locker Cross Country Championships South Regional in Charlotte, N.C.,  earning herself a place in the National Finals in San Diego, Calif., on December 10. 

Chase's time of 17:06 is the third fastest in Virginia history for 5000 meters.

This will be Chase's second consecutive trip to nationals, and the eleventh appearance in the finals by a girl.  Lake Braddock leads with the number of girls to have competed at nationals.

Lake Braddock Cross Country Head Coach Mike Mangan said Chase led a strong contingent of local athletes at the Regional Championships

Senior Ahmed Bile from and Junior Sean McGorty from also qualified for the finals. Ahmed, whose time of 14:38  is the fastest ever from a Virginia boy, will be returning for the second year, while Sean will be making his first appearance.  

runner Paul Gates and Lake Braddock's Nick Tuck both made the All South Team with their 17th and 22nd place finishes in the Seeded Race.

Caroline Alcorta made the All South Team in the Girl's Seeded Race, breaking 18 minutes for the first timein her career. Lake Braddock sophomore Hannah Christen just missed making the All South cut with her 33rd place finish at 18:08.  

In the Freshman Boys race, Lake Braddock's Alex Corbett ran the fastest time for a Virginia 9th grader this fall and earned All South honors with his 11th place finish.  

"These kids are truly outstanding at what they do," said Mangan.

The South Region is comprised of the states from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas.